Rennes (AFP)

Stade Rennais, neophyte in the Champions League, performed well for its debut but came up against other rookies: the Russians of Krasnodar (1-1), catchy Tuesday at Roazhon Park despite the fervor of nearly 5,000 spectators.

A penalty from Serhou Guirassy (55th) gave hope to the Bretons but Cristian Ramirez immediately showered him with a clear shot in the skylight (59th).

This match at home and against the apparently least formidable team in Group E, however, seemed to be the most accessible step for Rennes.

And they will have to be more realistic next week on the field of Sevilla FC, with meanwhile the reception of Angers on Friday in L1.

That's how we learn, no doubt: after a few animated minutes marked by a certain excitement on both sides, the Rennes took the initiative of the game and tried to impose their rhythm but collided to a Russian block well in place and capable of rapidly projecting itself into attack despite the absence of French attacking midfielder Rémy Cabella, who tested positive for Covid-19.

Despite a tight marking, Eduardo Camavinga tried to put some animation, first with an acceleration and a cross for the head of Benjamin Bourigeaud, without worries for Matvei Safonov (4th), then with two powerful strikes at the limit of the surface, which the Russian goalkeeper was able to deflect each time for a corner (25th and 33rd).

But it was the Russians who created the most serious chances, in particular on a combination of Smolnikov, launched on the right side by Olsson, who served his captain Marcus Berg: his shot was saved on the line by Rennes captain Damien Da Silva (31st).

- 30 cm from the line -

Rouge et Noir goalkeeper Alfred Gomis seemed beaten.

Arrived injured from Dijon three weeks ago, he was making his debut in the Rennes jersey and was not unworthy.

Contrary to their habit in recent matches, Rennes have not experienced a drop in speed at the start of the second period, with first a strike from Hamari Traoré past very close to the goal (49th), just like a free kick from Bourigeaud (50th).

And Martin Terrier, mown in the area after having recovered a ball recovered by Serhou Guirassy in midfield, obtained a penalty.

If Safonov had stopped a penalty in the play-offs against PAOK Salonika, he could not do anything on Guirassy's shot (1-0, 55 ').

But the Russians quickly equalized thanks to Christian Ramirez: served at the entrance to the area, the Ecuadorian winger managed to turn around to draw a powerful strike in the top corner (1-1, 59th).

The entry on time of the young Jérémy Doku, the most expensive player in the history of Rennes, brought a bit of impact on the left wing, but not enough.

His good combinations with Steven Nzonzi resulted in a missed strike from the Rennes metronome (65th) and another carefree for Safonov from the Belgian nugget (68th).

Under the encouragement of an increasingly noisy audience given the ability of Rennes to pack the end of matches, Flavien Tait, entered in the 69th minute, had two good chances (71st and 87th), and Safonov s' is lying on a shot from Adrien Hunou (89th).

Guirassy, ​​served by a cross from Doku headed by Terrier, missed the winning goal 30 cm from the line (90 + 5).

© 2020 AFP